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Eleanor placed a hand on Michael’s arm. Micheal, in turn, placed his warm hand over hers.

She didn’t see it, but she felt the surge of energy bound at her from across the room. Eleanor smiled widely at her old friend. He was no longer necessary.

“I will talk with His Grace and arrange something.”

“Can’t it be tonight?” Michael was looking over her head to catch another glimpse of the infamous Duke of Graynor.

Eleanor wrinkled her nose. “I’m sorry, Michael, but I will tell him of you and your interest, and I’m sure we can arrange something before your return to Oxford.” Eleanor looked around for her next victim. This was actually quite fun when the purpose was to annoy and frustrate the Duke.

Her eyes landed on a tall gentleman who was currently talking with an old friend of her father’s. He looked a bit older than her, which apparently was what the Duke wanted, and she had to admit he looked rather dashing.

“Please excuse me, Michael. I see an old friend of my father’s that I must say hello to.” She started walking away before he could utter a goodbye.

As she got closer to her father’s friend, and the handsome man he was talking to, the Duke stepped into their conversation. Her footsteps wavered until she realized the idea of flirting with a man directly in front of the Duke was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Let me show him the problem does not lie with me.

“Lord Bellfry! I knew that was you. How are you? I miss seeing you.”

“Ah, Lady Eleanor, my child. How are you?” The old man’s eyes lit up at seeing Eleanor. He was an old school friend of her father’s who would frequent their home, always bringing little trinkets for the girls.

“I’m well, thank you.” She dipped her chin. When she stood again, she made eye contact with the stranger in front of her, completely ignoring the looming presence of the Duke next to Lord Bellfry.

“Lady Eleanor, please let me introduce you to Samuel Riggins. He is a friend of my son’s from Cambridge.”

She raised her hand for the man to take. Samuel captured her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. She swore she heard a low growl coming from the Duke but paid it no attention.

“Mr. Riggins, it is an honor to meet you.”

Samuel’s clear blue eyes lifted to hers. “The honor is all mine, Lady Eleanor.”

“What brings you to our little corner of the world?”

Eleanor was determined to keep her focus on Samuel, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the Duke. His presence seemed to shift into something larger than life. Her eyes started to drift to him while Samuel recounted his studies and how he chose to spend the summer visiting with Lord Bellfry’s family.

“That sounds fascinating, Mr. Riggins. Have you always had an interest in philosophy?” Eleanor asked, hoping to create a conversation she could concentrate on instead of the brute standing next to Lord Bellfy.

“Yes, indeed. The why of who we are but more importantly why are we?” Samuel brightened under Eleanor’s interest.

A gruff huffed out laugh came from the Duke’s place.

Samuel’s eyes flew to his, and he seemed to deflate in front of Eleanor.

Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Are you all right, Your Grace? You may want to get a drink to help clear your throat.” She looked his way to see a look of derision being speared in Samuel’s direction.

“My apologies, Mr. Riggins. I fear I am no man for philosophy. I only deal with the here and now and what can be done.”

Samuel puffed up his chest and proudly exclaimed, “The unexplained life is not worth living.” He seemed proud of his intellectual input.

Eleanor found it pretentious.

“I know Socrates, Mr. Riggins. I just said I wasn’t a man of philosophy. That does not mean I am not knowledgeable about it. As Lady Eleanor can tell you, I make sure to know many things.”

Eleanor blushed. “Gentlemen, there is no need for sullen discourse. This is a party!” Eleanor dug deep into her etiquette lessons to get the conversation back on safe ground.

“Lady Eleanor is right. Let’s save that discussion for the parlor,” Samuel said before turning his attention to Eleanor. “Lady Eleanor, would it be too forward to tell you, you look remarkable tonight.”

Eleanor beamed a bright smile at Samuel.This is more like it!